Biography

Even though the members of the group were excellent musicians they rarely, if ever, played their own instruments on their records. Most of the instrumentation was provided by Los Angeles session musicians, often by a group informally known as The Wrecking Crew. Hal Blaine usually played the drums on their recordings.

Guitarist/vocalist Brian Cole died of a heroin overdose on August 2, 1972. He was 28.

They were originally offered the song "MacArthur Park" but refused it. After that, the song's composer Jimmy Webb brought the song to Richard Harris, who recorded it for his album "A Tramp Shining". The song was eventually released as a single and went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.

Members have included Terry Kirkman, Larry Ramos, Russ Giguere, Brian Cole (d. 8/2/72, heroin overdose; age 28), Jules Gary Alexander, Jim Yester, Bruce Pictor, Del Ramos, Jordan Cole, Ted Bluechel Jr., Bob Page, Richard Thompson, Maurice Miller, Art Johnson, David Vaught, Dwayne Smith, Andy Chapin, Larry Brown, Jay Gruska, Joe Lamanno, Keith Moret, Brian Puckett, Donni Gougeon, Chris Urmstom, Paul Holland, Bob Werner.

The group was the opening act of the landmark 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.